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Laying Block Paving 56

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On This Page... Related Pages

Preparation Intro
Choosing
Sub-Grade
Clay Pavers
Kerbs Stone Pavers
Sub-Base Flexi Constr.
- Flowchart
Edge Courses
Rigid Constr.
Bedding Machine Lay
Paving Edge Courses
Cutting-in - First or Last?
- Alt. Edgings
Compliance Highways
Compacting On Base Course
- vib plates Screeds
Step-by-Step
Jointing
H-bone Patterns
45° H-bone Set-up
Detailing
Cutting-in
- Using a splitter
- Using off-cuts
Cutting Pavers
Trays
Steps
D-I-Y
Suppliers - Clays
Suppliers - Concrete

Construction of a flexible block

pavement

There should be four layers to all residential flexible block or brick paving installations, whether on a drive, patio or for
a path. There are complicated assessment methods used in the paving industry to determine 'ideal' dimensions and
specifications for each application. We find that the following specification is adequate for 90% of residential
applications. If in doubt, email for confirmation. We will require certain information and details from you before we
can propose a specification, we will ask for this information in our reply e-mail.

Click here to open an Excel spreadsheet that can be used to calculate approximate quantities and prices
for residential block paving projects.

Preparation
See also Setting Out page

Decide where the paving is to run, and mark out with sand guide-lines, if required. It is assumed that the paving is to be
flush i.e. level, with the existing ground. It is a good idea to dig wider than the planned paving width, allowing an extra
75-100mm at the edges makes handling much easier.

Sub-grade
See also sub-grades page

The surface needs to be dug off to a depth of approx. 200mm. The depth of dig can be roughly calculated as.....

(average depth of paviors + 40mm bedding + 100mm sub-base)

Remove all weeds and other unwanted organic matter. Excavate any soft spots and fill with compacted sub-base
material. If the area of the paving is troubled with weeds, you may treat the excavated sub-grade with a general
 weedkiller such as Sodium Chlorate, but it is unlikely any normal weed will be able to penetrate the upper layers.

If the excavated sub-grade is suspect, clayey, riddled with Mares Tails or other
pernicious, deep-rooted weeds, an appropriate geo-textile can be laid over the
sub-grade. These geo-textiles can act as root barriers, and help to keep the
overlying sub-base material from sinking into a clayey or softish sub-grade.
However, they are not a substitute for a sub-base, and will only be of benefit if a
proper sub-base is laid above the geo-textile.
Use of a geo-textile to maintain sub-base
integrity

"Do I really need a membrane or a layer of polythene underneath my

paving?" [Click Here]

Kerbs
If you require a kerb, this is a good point to construct it. Road kerbs, plain or decorative edgings, small unit kerbs, or
setts laid lengthways are all suitable. The kerbs must be laid on and haunched with concrete in order for it to restrain
the body of the paving and prevent it from disappearing into the garden.

Bull-nosed small kerb Distressed sett kerb Rope top edging kerb

If you do not use a concrete bedded kerb unit at the free edges of the pavement, you MUST lay the edging courses on
concrete and haunch them as you would a kerb unit.

Note: Kerbs for flexible block pavements are normally laid on a

concrete bed directly over the sub-grade layer or in a shallow channel
excavated into the sub-base to ensure a full 100mm depth of bedding
material. Bedding the kerbs over the un-altered sub-base results in
too shallow a bed and haunch.
Minimum 100mm bed in channel or use deeper bed

See the Edgings & Kerbs page for more information on laying kerbs on a concrete bed.

Sub-base
This is essential if you want your paving to last longer than a couple of years. If a contractor tells you that a sub-base is
not required - show him the door immediately, and tell him to climb back on his horse and ride away.

Try this thought experiment....the bricks/blocks are not mortared together, they are separated from each other by 3mm or
4mm of loose silica sand. The blocks are laid on a sand bed, there is no cement or concrete used in the bedding, except
for the perimeter edges. How can such a construction carry the weight of cars, vans, etc?

The sub-base is the load-bearing layer of a block or brick

pavement, and should never be omitted. Having said that,
existing sub-bases that are sound and competent can be re-
utilised.

The sub-base should be a minimum 100mm thick, but in

exceptional circumstances could be reduced to 75mm for
paths or patios on good ground.

Refer to the sub-base page for full details on how to install

a sub-base. For driveways, use a minimum of 100-150mm Type
1 (803 in RoI) material or 100-150mm of CBM3.
 FAQ: Concrete or Aggregate sub-
base?

The sub-base has been laid, and is now being rolled to achieve maximum
compaction

Bear in mind that the completed paving will need a fall (slope) of not less than 1:80 to ensure adequate drainage of
surface water .

The laying course material needs to be a consistent thickness so the fall needs to be established at this stage in the
construction process, in the surface levels of the sub-base.

Fall MUST be created at sub-base level and NOT in the Laying Course

Edge Courses see also Edge Courses page

Following completion of the sub-base, the edging courses of the paving should
be constructed before placing the bedding layer and the blocks/bricks. The
perimeter edges of the paving can be laid in a different colour, or even a
different block/brick, which should be laid on a concrete bed and haunched to
prevent lateral (sideways) movement of the paving. These edges 'frame' the
body of the paving and must be strong enough to withstand the lateral forces
generated on a pavement by traffic.

Edge Courses, their functions, their construction and a gallery of some of the
more popular choices, are considered in much greater depth on a separate
page .

Laying edge course to curves and arcs is discussed on the Detailing page. Edge courses:
Double Stretcher - Soldier
2 Colour Double Stretcher - Single Stretcher

If a concrete haunched kerb is not being used, the edge courses MUST be firmly restrained in some way. The usual
method is to lay and haunch the edge courses with concrete, as described on the Laying Edgings on Concrete page.

However, there are a number of proprietary alternatives to using concrete to haunch the edging courses. Although
these manufactured systems are not used often in Britain and Ireland, they do have their uses and they are considered
in more detail on the Alternative Edging Restraints page.

Note: Edging restraints for flexible block pavements are

normally laid on a concrete bed directly over the sub-grade layer
or in a shallow channel excavated into the sub-base to ensure a
full 100mm depth of bedding material. Bedding the blocks over
Min 100mm bed in sub-base channel or use deeper bed
the un-altered sub-base results in too shallow a bed and
haunch.

Two methods of constructing edge courses as shown in the left-hand cross-section above are looked at on a separate
page

There is an exception to the above recommendation, and that is when an

edging course is laid against an existing solid object, such as a wall, in a
position where it can not be overrun by a vehicle, as shown in the diagram
opposite. In a situation such as this, it is acceptable to lay the soldier edging
on a 50mm concrete bed, solely to ensure that the blocks will not move or
settle when used as a level guide for subsequent screeding of the bedding
layer.

More on edge courses: Edge Courses: An Overview

Edge Courses: Construct First or Last?
Edge Courses: Ensuring adequate bed depth
Edge Courses: Case Study Installation

Bedding layer
Also known as the "Laying Course"

The paving blocks or bricks should be laid directly onto a bed of coarse, grit sand , 25-40mm thick. This sand may
also be known as sharp sand, concreting sand, Zone 2 or Class M - see the Sand section of the Aggregates
page for a fuller explanation of these terms.

In some parts of Britain and Ireland, a grit or a stone dust (whin dust) is used in place of the more usual grit sand. Grit
is also used with permeable paving and on some commercial applications. However, the vast majority of
conventional projects are laid using a plain, simple, straightforward grit sand.

DO NOT USE BUILDING SAND - it is too soft and can become 'fluid' when waterlogged, consequently moving beneath
the paving, causing settlement.

It is best to prepare a pre-compacted and screeded bedding

layer, and lay the blocks or bricks directly onto this bed.
Screed preparation is a complex subject and a key skill
when it comes to laying many different types of segmental
or elemental paving, such as block pavers (and flags, sett,
cubes). Accordingly, Screeding, as it is generally known, is
covered in detail on a separate page.

Tips on Screeding a Bedding Layer

Screed Preparation

There is also a FAQ that goes into far more detail about why establishing screed depth is not as
straightforward as might be assumed.

FAQ - Establishing Screed Depth

Click here for a pop-up calculator that calculates the quantity of grit sand required to cover a
known area at any given thickness.
Other Calculators

Paving Layer
The paving bricks or blocks should be laid to a specific pattern. If you are using more than 1 pack of blocks, mix the
pavers by drawing them from 3 or 4 packs simultaneously, to ensure there is no banding or spotting of certain shades
within the pavement. This is very important with multi-coloured blocks, such as the ever popular multi-red described as
'Brindle' as there can be distinct 'banding' of individual colours within the blocks, while with single colour blocks,
thorough randomisation helps ensure the natural (and impossible to avoid) slight variation in tone that occurs with all
concrete products is distributed over a larger area.
A fully interlocked 'Herringbone' pattern should be used for
areas to be trafficked by vehicles whenever possible or
practical. Other patterns are fine for foot-traffic areas such
as paths and patios.

The perimeter edge courses of the paving should have been

laid after the sub-base, and should by now be set solid on
their concrete bed and haunching.

Lay all the full blocks first, taking care not to stand on the
screeded bedding layer, but working from the laid paving.
Use a taut string line as a guide to the laying line if
required.

How to set out a Herringbone Pattern

Laying blocks as a longitudinal stretcher bond

Placing blocks
There is an art to laying blocks correctly - it's not just a matter of plonking them down any old how!
Obviously, the blocks need to be laid to a pattern, so they need to be placed in a particular
orientation, and, with many of the popular patterns, in a particular order. As can be seen in the
animations on the Herringbone page , blocks are often laid sequentially, in courses, following a
logical pattern that makes placement easier and more accurate.

But it's not just pattern: the blocks need to be laid with joints of a certain size. It's been shown that
the ideal joint size for flexible block pavement is 2-5mm (a close joint ), and we generally aim for a
3mm joint. Now, if we had to rely on plastic spacers or matchsticks to form each joint, as is the case
with many wall tiles, the work would take twice as long as it does. Luckily for us, most (not all, but
most) British and Irish block manufacturers incorporate spacers onto the sides of their blocks, with
each spacer designed to create the perfect 3mm joint.

So, all the block layer needs to do is ensure the

blocks are laid "hand tight", with spacers in
direct contact with the edge of adjacent blocks.
This is achieved by laying the block in a
particular way. First, the block is held ABOVE
the laying course, and in contact with the
previously laid blocks. It is then slid down the
edge of the adjacent blocks, keeping it in
contact at all times, until it rests on the laying
Correctly placing blocks.... course.

The wrong way to do it is to lay the block onto

the laying course and then push it up tight
against the adjacent blocks. This method
causes grains of the laying course sand to
become trapped in the joint, and this often
results in overwide joints; joints that are 6mm or
more in width. Excessively wide joints cause
reduced interlock between blocks and
thereby result in a weaker pavement.

...and how to make a mess of it!

Compliance:
Compliance is the term used to cover laying accuracy. There are three main components: pattern alignment, level
accuracy and block quality.

Alignment
On average, it's a good idea to check alignment after laying one metre of paving, or 10 courses. Stand back and look
along the joints - are they straight and true? Stretch a string line over the surface to check how the joints align and use
the alignment bar to lever them one way or the other as necessary to get them into the correct alignment, and tap the
leading edge with the paving hammer to ensure the joints are reasonably tight. Remember to check from at least two
directions at right angles to each other. Walk around the paving (WITHOUT stepping onto the screed laying course) to
check and check again. It's much easier to fix a misalignment while it's only affecting a couple of square metres than to
allow it to "creep" and end up distorting 20 or 30 square metres.

Note that clay pavers, with their inherent imperfections (part of their charm!) can sometimes be quite difficult to align,
but persevere; you (or your client) have to live with this pattern for a long time!

Level accuracy
Compliance also means checking levels and surface regularity. On a 'flat' or 'even' pavement, the relevant Standard
sets a limit of 10mm dip beneath a 3m straightedge, but to find as much as 10mm dip beneath a 3m straightedge,
indicates something has gone seriously wrong. Good block layers are highly skilled at screeding their laying course,
and would expect to see no more than 4-6mm of deviation from true.

Block Quality
When you're rattling in the blocks, it's all too easy to overlook a block that has a damaged corner or a hairline crack.
So, while checking pattern alignment and surface levels as part of the compliance routine, these 'iffy' blocks should be
removed and replaced. A Block Extractor Tool is invaluable for this task. It renders removal of unjointed blocks an
effortlessly simple task, and does away with all that nonsense of jiggling-out blocks using two screwdrivers, which
inevitably results in damage to the adjacent blocks.

Click any of the above images for larger image in a pop-up window

Cutting-in
Once you are satisfied with the alignment, blocks can be
cut to fit the edges and elsewhere, using a block splitter or
a cut-off saw.

Cutting-in is a complex subject that often makes the

difference between a good job and a botch. Consequently,
it is covered on a separate page.

Cutting bricks and blocks

Cutting blocks using a splitter

Compaction
Compaction, also known as consolidation, refers to the use of a vibrating plate compactor to 'hammer down' the blocks
once they are laid. It should be carried out following compliance checks and cutting-in.

Before or after jointing?

For concrete block pavers, many contractors undertake the
Compaction is achieved by making several passes
jointing before compaction and this was a methodology we
(minimum of two) over the paving with a vibrating
used for a number of years. While it is not necessarily
plate compactor, often referred to as a "Wacker
"wrong" or "bad practice", we have, over the years, become
Plate".
aware of a number of problems that arise from jointing-
The plate compactor vibrates the paving units, before-compacting, and we now feel that these problems can
driving them downwards and settling them into the be eliminated or reduced by following a compacting-before-
laying course. jointing methodology. To read more about the thinking behind
this revised methodology, click here for a pop-up window
The plate spans several blocks at once, and so any that outlines the arguments.
slight variation in block thickness is "ironed-out"
as the plate passes over the blocks. Clay pavers and concrete pavers with little or no chamfer
should always be jointed before compaction as the jointing
helps keep the units apart during the consolidation process
and thereby reduces the risk of spall damage.

Compaction First Jointing First

Chamfered concrete blocks Clay pavers
Chamfered small-element flags Concrete blocks with no chamfer
 Concrete blocks with minimal chamfer

The aim is to compact or consolidate the blocks into the laying course which is simultaneously compacted to, more or
less, the point of refusal, which is the point at which no further compaction is possible. Notice the phrase "more or
less" in that last sentence. That is not a throwaway line: it is a key concept, which is linked back to the earlier statement
regarding the variation in block thickness (block depth). Consider a typical selection of 60mm blocks. The
manufacturing standard allows for a ±3mm tolerance, which means there could be a 6mm lip between two adjacent
blocks laid onto an even screeded laying course. In actuality, most British and Irish manufacturers achieve a tolerance
closer to ±1mm, but even this would, potentially, allow for a 2mm lip between adjacent blocks.

When the plate compactor runs over these two blocks, the 61mm block may well be "compacted to refusal". Wonderful!
But the other side of that particular coin is that the 59mm block is unlikely to have been compacted to refusal, and, left
to its own devices over an extended period of time, is likely to settle under the dual influences of traffic and gravity, re-
creating that original 2mm lip.

The Kit
It should be noted that using any old plate compactor that happens to be available is NOT an acceptable practice. The
compactor needs to meet certain minimum requirements to ensure it carries out this crucial part of the construction
process to best effect. The British Standard that covers this type of paving recommends that compactors should have a
...

i. Minimum mass (weight in Kg)

ii. Minimum plate area (m²)
iii. Minimum effective force per unit area (kN/m²)
iv. Frequency of vibration (Hz)

The category of pavement under construction will determine what the values are for each of the parameters listed
above. Pavement category, an indication of the type of traffic that will be carried by a pavement, is summarised here .
Most residential pavements would be considered to be Category IV - Private drives. The table below is derived from
Table F1 of the British Standard...

The key thing to take from the above table is that the type of plate compactor that can be lifted by one operative into
and out of a van is highly unlikely to be suitable. Even for Cat IV pavements, the plate has to have a mass of at least
80Kg, which is over three times the maximum weight that should be lifted by a single person.

Similarly, the minimum plate size is important and often overlooked. Too many contractors select a plate compactor on
the grounds of ease of lifting, and some have a plate size of only 500x300mm (0.15m²). The plate must be big enough to
span at least two blocks at each pass.

As a very general guide, a plate measuring 500x400mm should be satisfactory for Cat II and IV pavements. For heavier
pavements, much heavier plates are required and the machine weight, frequency and effective force should be checked
with the manufacturer prior to use.

Compaction strategy
Using a plate compactor for extended periods runs the risk of HAVS (Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome) which can be
disabling for those affected. Try to ensure the plate compactor being used is adequately dampened to minimise the
danger. Check out the Health & Safety Executive website for further information.

It is essential that the surface of the pavement is cleared of any

debris, rubble, bits of block, the crusts off butties, and anything
else that could adversely affect compaction before starting up the
plate compactor. If, for example, a small pebble or a piece of block
was left on the surface, and the plate was to run over it, there's a
real risk that this would force down the block underneath to a level
that is too low.

As already mentioned, the plate compactor should make an absolute minimum of TWO passes over each and every
part of the pavement. These two passes should be at 90° to each other, so, in effect, one pass would be up-down, while
the second would be side-to-side. In practice, we prefer a minimum of FOUR passes:

i. up-down
 i. up-down

ii. side-side

iii. diagonal top-right bottom-left

iv. diagonal top-left bottom-right

If, at any time during the compaction, the plate starts to 'rattle' or bounce about on the blocks, this indicates that no
further consolidation of the paving layer is possible and that the point known as "Compaction To Refusal" has been
reached. Should this happen, STOP the plate immediately or move away to areas that are not causing the plate to
bounce. Continuing to consolidate when the plate is bouncing will only result in damage to the blocks, or even to the
plate itself.

Once compaction has been completed, a further round of compliance checks should be undertaken. Any blocks that
have broken or become badly damaged during the compaction process should be removed and replaced. Levels and
alignment should also be checked, and any corrections made before moving on.

Jointing
Jointing is achieved by filling the 2-5mm close joints with a specially selected jointing sand which then generates a
phenomenal amount of frictional interlock between the adjacent blocks. This frictional interlock "grips" the blocks
and helps transfer loads from individual blocks to each of its neighbours, which then transfer the received load to each
of their neighbours and so on and so forth. This is how the blocks that have not been completely compacted to refusal,
as described above, are able remain at the required surface level (more or less).

If you've ever wondered just how much force is generated by the sand jointing, try using the Block Extractor Tool to
remove a jointed block - it's not impossible, but it's quite a struggle. Which is why, before the jointing sand is applied,
the whole pavement MUST be checked for compliance once again. It's a lot easier to yank out an unjointed block with a
spalled corner than one that has been sanded, so, to repeat what was listed earlier, check alignment, surface levels and
block quality before spreading the jointing sand, regardless of whether you're jointing before or after compaction.

Dry jointing can only be done in dry conditions (stating the bleeding obvious, I know). If the blocks are damp, or if the
heavens open, the sealing sand will not flow freely as required, and you may have wasted your time and money.
However, all is not lost, and it is possible to use wet-jointing techniques when the surface is damp and/or when the
weather is against you.

See the Pointing and Jointing page for more information on jointing sand

A kiln-dried silica sand, designed for this purpose, is available from most builders' and civils merchants. This is a
selected sand, very clean, and of certain grain sizes that work to increase the 'friction' between each brick or block. A
specific grading envelope for this sand is given in Table D4 of BS7533:Part 3 .

Building sand, play sand, soft sand, grit sand or any other form of sand is NOT acceptable: it will fail and result in a
rutted pavement. Don't spoil the ship for a ha'porth of tar! The correct jointing sand costs around £4 for a 25kg bag,
and this quantity should seal 8 - 15 m² of block paving depending on unit thickness and type. Clay bricks often have
wider joints (3-6mm), due to their being imperfect rectangles, a result of kiln-firing, and so may require extra sand.

The sealing sand is simply brushed over the surface

repeatedly, and allowed to trickle down into the joints
between the paving units. Once the joints are as full as
possible, all of the excess sand should be swept off the
paving, or into a corner where it can be salvaged for re-use.
The vibrating plate compactor should make a couple of
passes over the paving, ideally in different directions, to
vibrate and settle the sealing sand, and complete any
partial compaction of the paving units.

Compaction with jointing sand

When using the plate compactor to settle the sand, it is essential that the operative wears a dust mask
- a pair of safety goggles would be a good idea, too. The vibration of the plate sends up a plume of
dust from the sanded joints and this dust is highly abrasive. This 'dust is referred to as "airborne
respirable crystalline silica (RCS)". If breathed into the lungs, it can cause untold damage and has
been implicated in pneumo-silicosis . Similarly, dust or sand in the eye is best avoided.
After settling the jointing sand, some joints will appear empty or only partially filled. These should be topped up
immediately, but there is no need to repeat the compaction. Finally, sweep off any surplus sealing sand and there you
have it - a completed block/brick pavement that can be trafficked immediately!

The sealing sand will continue to settle over the ensuing weeks, and can be topped-up by simply brushing further sand
over any empty joints until they are full again. There is no need to use the plate compactor again.

Block paving construction flowchart

Step-by-step picture guide to block and brick paving

Other block paving resources on this site

Introduction to Block Paving

Choosing
Clay Pavers
- Southport Pavers
Stone Pavers
Flexible Construction
- Construction Flowchart
Rigid Construction
Machine Lay
Edge Courses
- First or Last?
- Alternative Edgings
Block Paved Highways
Laying Blocks On An Existing Base Course
Screeds
Step-by-Step Block Paving
Setting out a Herringbone Pattern
45° H-bone Set-up
Detailing
Cutting-in
- Using a block splitter
- Using off-cuts
Cutting Pavers
Fixing Recess Trays
Constructing Steps for Block Paving
DIYers Gallery
Links to Manufacturers of Clay Pavers
Links to Manufacturers of Concrete Pavers

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